The Blob

Just to say I'm learning 3D in my free time. And more specifically Modo, an amazing modeler. The best modeler I have ever seen. And I've seen masters in Maya or 3Dmax or even XSI at some graphic-events. This soft get incredible tools, everything is possible and so easy with its axis tools, its deformers, in fact all the basics tools are better than everywhere (ok most of them). The basic extrude or the knife is simply as it should be everywhere.
And Modo world-class renderer cranks out stunning images, and it's not that you have to learn for 3 months before getting a realistic image. You just add your lights, your sky, you activated GI and that's it. You already get more than good image.
With modo you can aslo sculpt like zBrush, and it's not a little function hidden in a corner of the interface, no sculpting in modo is a GREAT tool. Just to convince you, see this video.
Modo can animated. Ok it's not the main goal of modo. But you can already make good cam movements, morphing, organic animations (but not yet Bones).
I really recommend to see the Luxology.tv page; which contains lot of videos to learn modo. That's one of the best part in Modo, the website is full or ressources. The manuals are excellent. The community is friendly and know their soft.

And the last part is the optimisation. Modo is stunningly fast. And YES on mac too. The rendering engine is blowing. But even in the interface, you can modelize high complex models without problem.

I hope one day, modo is going to get the Mograph engine from Cinema 4D... Mmmh lovely ! And as I'm talking about C4D, you have to know the export from Modo in lightwave and the import in C4D is good. It keep the nurbs, the names, some basics textures.

Ok I think you see my point. Just check it and tell me about this master piece. And I almost forgot to say that modo is not expensive. You can get it now for less than 900$. Actually there is a discount of 125$. So you can get if for less than 500 euros!

>> www.luxology.com

(picture is from Donald Lewis)